Merseyside Combined Authority
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| Merseyside Combined Authority | |
|---|---|
| Name | Merseyside Combined Authority |
| Formation | 2014 |
| Headquarters | Liverpool |
| Region served | Merseyside |
| Leaders | Metro Mayor |
Merseyside Combined Authority is a statutory regional body established in 2014 to coordinate strategic functions across Merseyside, encompassing Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley, and St Helens. It succeeded predecessors in sub-regional collaboration and works alongside city councils and national departments to deliver devolved powers. The body interacts with multiple institutions, agencies, and civic partners to plan transport, economic development, and investment across the Liverpool City Region.
History
The authority was created following devolution negotiations influenced by precedents such as the Greater Manchester Combined Authority, West Midlands Combined Authority, and legislative frameworks like the Cities and Local Government Devolution Act 2016. Early catalysts included collaborations between Liverpool City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and St Helens Council and regional bodies such as the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership and Merseytravel. National administrations including the Cameron ministry and the May ministry engaged in deals that shaped the authority’s remit. The body’s establishment followed consultation with institutions like Merseyside Police, NHS England, University of Liverpool, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool Hope University, and the Knowledge Quarter Liverpool. Subsequent milestones involved agreements with the Department for Transport, the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, and participation in networks alongside the Northern Powerhouse and Local Government Association.
Governance and Structure
The authority’s governance model mirrors arrangements used by Tees Valley Combined Authority and Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority with an elected Metro Mayor post introduced after mayoral referenda and legislation. Membership includes leaders from constituent councils—Liverpool City Council, Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council, Wirral Metropolitan Borough Council, Knowsley Metropolitan Borough Council, and St Helens Council—and representatives from agencies such as Merseytravel and the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership. Strategic committees draw on expertise from higher education institutions like University of Liverpool and Liverpool John Moores University and cultural partners such as National Museums Liverpool and The Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse. Oversight interfaces with national bodies including the HM Treasury and the National Audit Office for scrutiny and accountability.
Functions and Responsibilities
The authority undertakes devolved functions commonly associated with transport, spatial planning, economic development, and skills strategies, paralleling roles held by Greater Manchester Combined Authority and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. It commissions transport services via Merseytravel and coordinates initiatives with Transport for the North and the Department for Education on vocational training aligned to institutions such as City of Liverpool College and Knowsley Community College. The authority leads on strategic planning initiatives tied to agencies like Homes England and collaborates with Historic England on heritage-led regeneration projects in areas including Liverpool Waterfront and Albert Dock. It engages with sector partners such as Peel Group, Merlin Entertainments, Siemens, Jaguar Land Rover, and Unilever on investment pipelines.
Economy and Strategic Planning
Strategic economic planning integrates input from the Liverpool City Region Local Enterprise Partnership, the Chamber of Commerce networks, and universities including Liverpool Hope University and Edge Hill University. The authority develops regional strategies to attract investment from multinational firms such as Coca-Cola European Partners and Danske Bank while coordinating regeneration schemes like those associated with Liverpool Waters and the Wirral Waters masterplan promoted by Peel Holdings. It aligns skills initiatives with programmes run by UK Commission for Employment and Skills and national apprenticeship schemes influenced by the Education and Skills Funding Agency. Collaboration extends to cultural and sporting anchors including Anfield Stadium, Goodison Park, M&S Bank Arena, and Royal Liverpool University Hospital to support place-making and employment.
Transport and Infrastructure
Transport oversight is exercised through Merseytravel and strategic partnerships with Network Rail, National Rail, and the Department for Transport. Projects include rail electrification schemes, station upgrades at Liverpool Lime Street railway station, bus franchising pilots comparable to initiatives in London and Greater Manchester, and cycling infrastructure aligned with Sustrans routes. Major infrastructure coordination involves ports and maritime logistics linked to Peel Ports Group, ferry services on the River Mersey, and airport connectivity referencing Liverpool John Lennon Airport. The authority has engaged with national programmes such as the Road Investment Strategy and rail capacity planning undertaken by Network Rail and Northern Trains.
Finance and Funding
Funding streams combine allocations from HM Treasury devolution deals, transport levies administered via Merseytravel, and capital receipts from asset programmes including partnerships with Peel Group. The authority pursues investment through instruments used by bodies like the Greater London Authority and collaborates with finance intermediaries including the British Business Bank and private investors such as Barclays and HSBC. Grant funding involves bids to national funds including the Local Growth Fund, the National Productivity Investment Fund, and competitive rounds administered by Homes England and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Criticism and Controversies
The authority has faced scrutiny similar to controversies seen around other combined authorities, including debates over the efficacy of devolved mayoral powers exemplified in discussions surrounding the Metro Mayor model and comparisons with the Greater Manchester Combined Authority. Criticisms have arisen over transparency and procurement practices, echoing wider concerns addressed by the National Audit Office and Local Government Ombudsman. Local political disputes have involved elected members from Liverpool City Council and other constituent authorities, and controversies over large-scale projects have drawn attention from campaign groups, heritage bodies such as Historic England, and trade unions including UNISON and GMB.